Re: Flu Shot
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 4:16 pm
There are no forced vaccinations in the US. Forced means that no other options exist, that something is done without your consent. While vaccination may be mandatory in order to participate in certain things (such as public schools in California or certain healthcare professions), there is always the option to decline the vaccination. While an individual may not be happy about receiving the vaccination, the vaccination can only be given with that individual's consent.
To the OP, it is unfortunate that you do not see another option available to you. The job opportunities for qualified nurses do seem to be abundant, so I hope you are able to find a position that appeals to you and offers you the option of wearing a mask. As someone with a disordered immune system, I do get an annual flu shot, as do my family members. For me, getting the flu would mean at best a stay in the ICU. Ironically, this is not because my immune system is weak, rather because it reacts too strongly (think cytokine storm - that is what would most likely be going on in my lungs during a bout with the flu, and the reason that the 1918 flu was most deadly among the young and healthy who had strong immune systems).
So, yes, I do believe that it is important that individuals who choose a healthcare profession stay current with their vaccinations, both for their own benefit as well as for the protection of their patients.
ETA: Look into the intradermal flu vaccine if you find yourself in the same position next year. It is given with a microneedle, so is painless as it is injected into the dermal layer of the skin rather than into muscle tissue. It requires only a fraction of the dose of a traditional flu shot and is even more immunogenic.
To the OP, it is unfortunate that you do not see another option available to you. The job opportunities for qualified nurses do seem to be abundant, so I hope you are able to find a position that appeals to you and offers you the option of wearing a mask. As someone with a disordered immune system, I do get an annual flu shot, as do my family members. For me, getting the flu would mean at best a stay in the ICU. Ironically, this is not because my immune system is weak, rather because it reacts too strongly (think cytokine storm - that is what would most likely be going on in my lungs during a bout with the flu, and the reason that the 1918 flu was most deadly among the young and healthy who had strong immune systems).
So, yes, I do believe that it is important that individuals who choose a healthcare profession stay current with their vaccinations, both for their own benefit as well as for the protection of their patients.
ETA: Look into the intradermal flu vaccine if you find yourself in the same position next year. It is given with a microneedle, so is painless as it is injected into the dermal layer of the skin rather than into muscle tissue. It requires only a fraction of the dose of a traditional flu shot and is even more immunogenic.